In a matter of moments Kelly Rummings' life changed for ever.
"I woke up in the middle of the night with excruciating pains." The Getzville, mother of three tells 7 Eyewitness News.
Still in her 40s, this self proclaimed 'busy body' had a heart attack in March of 2008. Four years later Rummings suffered a second heart attack.
"That blockage doesn't build up over night," she tells 7 Eyewitness News.
Stories like this are becoming more and more common. Seemingly healthy, active people such as beloved TV dad Alan Thicke and actress and writer Carrie Fisher -- falling victim to heart related issues.
"Well it's obviously very sad to hear of anyone's death especially a celebrity because they're loved," Dr. Vijay Iyer a cardiologist with Buffalo General Hospital says.
"The reality is that cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death of a lot of people in the United States."
He says heart disease doesn't discriminate and although you can't predict a heart attack or stroke, knowing your risk factors can be the difference between life and death.
"Know your family history, know if anyone in you family has premature coronary disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol."
